Changes

There has been much debate as to how to view Pilate and his choices and how Pilate truly thought.  What is known is that Pilate was on very shaky ground.  He owed his political position to [[Sejanus]], a man who had already lost his head.  Jewish complaints against him had already resulted in him being overruled by the Emperor once before.  His record was such that another difficulty could well lead to his removal, and, indeed, that's exactly what happened in 36 A.D. when the Jews complained against him and he was dismissed from his position.  In the [[Gospel]] accounts there is a reference made that if Pilate lets Jesus go, then he is "no friend of Caesar".  Being a "friend of Caesar" was a term that had significance to the time as it was the way that political appointments were made.  Saying that he was no friend of Caesar would have been viewed as a veiled threat that if he didn't rule the right way, accusations could be made against him to [[Rome]].

There has been much debate as to how to view Pilate and his choices and how Pilate truly thought.  What is known is that Pilate was on very shaky ground.  He owed his political position to [[Sejanus]], a man who had already lost his head.  Jewish complaints against him had already resulted in him being overruled by the Emperor once before.  His record was such that another difficulty could well lead to his removal, and, indeed, that's exactly what happened in 36 A.D. when the Jews complained against him and he was dismissed from his position.  In the [[Gospel]] accounts there is a reference made that if Pilate lets Jesus go, then he is "no friend of Caesar".  Being a "friend of Caesar" was a term that had significance to the time as it was the way that political appointments were made.  Saying that he was no friend of Caesar would have been viewed as a veiled threat that if he didn't rule the right way, accusations could be made against him to [[Rome]].

Whatever Pilate's ultimate desires, what he did is recorded in history, and that has certainly made him more famous in history than any other man of his position has ever been.

Whatever Pilate's ultimate desires, what he did is recorded in history, and that has certainly made him more infamous in history than any other man of his position has ever been. Everyday for over 1600 years, a Catholic mass recites the [[Nicene Creed]] where Pilate's name is mentioned "crucified under Pontius Pilate."

[[Category:Biblical Persons]]

[[Category:Biblical Persons]]

[[Category:Romans]]

[[Category:Romans]]